Pharm D Admissions

Pharm D Admission

The Purdue University Doctor of Pharmacy Admissions Committee will strive to admit qualified students who exhibit character, integrity, academic readiness, and outstanding interpersonal skills, as these are important traits when providing comprehensive, compassionate patient care and public service to diverse patient populations. Evidence of community volunteer service and leadership experience is also valued in the selection process.

Prior to entrance in the PharmD program, students must complete all pre-pharmacy program requirements, with the following exceptions:

Students are limited to one core math/science course during the summer term immediately prior to beginning the PharmD program.

Pharmacy Orientation I and II (PHRM 10000 and PHRM 20000) are not required, but highly encouraged for those completing prerequisites on the West Lafayette campus.

International transfer credit is accepted. However, two semesters each of organic chemistry and anatomy/physiology, and one semester each of biochemistry and immunology must be completed in the United States, regardless of whether they have been taken previously.

Pharmacy Priority Admission

Students that complete their pre-pharmacy pre-requisites at Purdue University – West Lafayette campus with the intention of entering the PharmD program are eligible for Pharmacy Priority Admission status. This status assures the students of a PharmD admissions interview if they meet the following criteria:

Successful completion and submission of the PharmCAS application by the deadline.

Cumulative GPA at Purdue University ≥ 3.25.

No grade less than C- and GPA ≥ 3.0 in the following critical pre-pharmacy courses:

CHM 12901 (General Chemistry)

BIOL 11000 (Fundamentals of Biology I)

BIOL 11100 (Fundamentals of Biology II)

BIOL 30100 (Human Design: Anatomy/Physiology)

MA 16010 (Applied Calculus I)

MA 16020 (Applied Calculus II

MCMP 204000 (Organic Chemistry I)

MCMP 20500 (Organic Chemistry II)

PHYS 22000 (General Physics) OR BIOL 22100 (Microbiology) Consideration of General Physics or Microbiology depends on the semester of enrollment.

Final decision on admission requires an in-person interview where the applicant will be evaluated on the criteria listed in the Admissions Decision Factors section and the extemporaneous writing and verbal exercises.

Students are no longer eligible for Pharmacy Priority Admission status after the student's review for PharmD admission during the spring semester of their second year at Purdue University.

Students unsuccessfully achieving Pharmacy Priority Admissions status for professional pharmacy program admissions will be considered for admission to the PharmD program through the normal competitive PharmCAS application process.

Admissions Decision Factors

The Admissions Committee will select the best qualified applicants for the PharmD program based on a composite assessment of the following characteristics.

Evidence of organizational involvement, leadership, and social responsibility experiences

Evidence of quality interpersonal skills, including verbal and written communications

Evidence of passion for pharmacy and empathy towards others

Knowledge about various pharmacy practice environments

Cumulative grade point average for all coursework taken after high school (suggested minimum 3.00)

A grade of C- or higher must be earned in all pre-pharmacy core math/science courses (biology, chemistry, biochemistry, immunology, calculus, physics, and statistics).

Work experience

Two letters of evaluation (required)

Applicant statements

Personal interview with one or more representatives from the Admissions Committee

Extemporaneous written and verbal communication exercises

Completeness of application

Action on Applicants

All applications will initially be reviewed for evidence of basic qualifications for admission. Those most qualified will be invited for a personal interview. Interviews and extemporaneous written and verbal communication exercises are conducted on the West Lafayette campus in the College of Pharmacy from February through March. Interview invitations will specify the date and time.

Following all interviews, the Admissions Committee will thoroughly evaluate all components of each application and rank applicants based on overall qualifications. Admission will be granted to approximately 150 of the most highly qualified applicants at the end of March. Remaining qualified applicants are placed on a rank-ordered wait list for residual spaces as they become available. Students who are not admitted will be referred to appropriate advising offices for assistance in choosing an alternative pathway of study. Performance of admitted students is reviewed again at the end of the spring term. Admission offers are withdrawn if academic performance is deemed below the acceptable level.

Confirmation of Admission

Admission letters must be accepted within 14 days of the dated letter and include a non-refundable deposit of $400. Applicants admitted on or after March 15th will have 14 days from the dated letter of offer to pay the deposit.

PharmD Admissions
Office of Student Services
College of Pharmacy
Purdue University
575 Stadium Mall Drive
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2091

Unofficial copy of spring semester grades as soon as available

Official copy of college transcript(s) showing all courses completed with grades (including spring term grades)

Information on the PharmD orientation program is provided in July.

Incoming students must be inoculated against and have evidence of the absence of tuberculosis, measles, rubella, hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox). The hepatitis B vaccine series takes 6 months and therefore, the student may not have it completed until the middle to end of the first professional year. Students may elect to sign a waiver in lieu of receiving the hepatitis B series. Students are responsible for the arrangement and payment of any medical inoculations.

Accepted applicants must produce a satisfactory criminal background check conducted by Certiphi Screening at a charge of $70.00.

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Purdue College of Pharmacy, consistently ranked among the 10 best pharmacy programs in the nation, offers a uniquely diverse range of undergraduate, professional, and graduate study opportunities. A total of 10 different programs and 700 pharmacy practice experiences prepare students for a range of top-paying careers in the fields of pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, and the health sciences.